Education Welfare Officer

Job Title: Education Inclusion Officer Location: Southwark, London Service Area: Family Early Help Service Salary: Competitive Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About the Role Southwark Council is seeking a dedicated and proactive Education Inclusion Officer to join our specialist team within the Family Early Help Service. This role is pivotal in delivering upon the Council's Fairer Future promises by supporting children, young people, and their families to access and sustain high-quality education.

The successful candidate will work in close partnership with parents, young people, schools, and other stakeholders to ensure that all children of compulsory school age attend education full-time, achieve academically, and remain engaged in positive and constructive activities. A key focus will be on preventing exclusion and promoting inclusion through early intervention, managed moves, and robust multi-agency support plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote full-time school attendance and prevent exclusion by supporting educational achievement and positive behaviour.

• Deliver timely and effective inclusion support to schools, families, and relevant agencies.

• Provide expert advice and consultation on attendance and inclusion, including conducting attendance investigations and enforcement casework.

• Lead education legal planning meetings and represent the Council in magistrates' and family courts under the Education Act 1996.

• Identify and support children missing education through attendance at CME panels and close liaison with schools and families.

• Offer professional oversight to Family Early Help practitioners on cases requiring legal enforcement due to persistent non-attendance.

• Support the development and implementation of managed moves and multi-agency intervention plans to maintain school placements.

About You We are looking for a committed and experienced professional with a strong understanding of education law, inclusion strategies, and multi-agency partnership working. You will possess excellent communication skills, sound judgement, and a firm commitment to securing positive outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Essential Criteria

• Extensive knowledge of the statutory responsibilities related to school attendance and inclusion.

• Experience in undertaking enforcement action under the Education Act, including preparation for court proceedings.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and engage effectively with families, schools, and external agencies.

• Strong analytical and case management skills with a solution-focused approach.

• Proven ability to lead meetings, manage complex cases, and deliver effective interventions.